“The challenge of the Silver Gate is to reconnect to our regenerative forces and stay connected to them. Many cultures of the world have traditional practices to accomplish this.” Angeles Arrien

I am intrigued by an Ancient European custom cited in this section that is still practiced in some areas of the world. The challenge is to do something never before tried each month. The custom is to do it on one’s birthdate, but I will play fast and loose with that.

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When asked me two weeks ago how I would stretch myself this month, I replied that I was unsure. Even though I had already signed up for my big challenge. I just didn’t see it as that.

We are fortunate to have a hometown university. And like many universities, ours has a program for the great aging population. We are college seniors in a new way – attending classes on a plethora of subjects taught by local experts. Some teachers have retired from academia. Some are doctors. Some are artists and artisans. And some are just highly experienced in the fields in which they choose to share knowledge. Well, I digress…

For about six months I have had a notation on my calendar to remind me to dance. I love to dance. It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy – just turn up the salsa or rock and roll and I will gyrate around the house on the way to the refrigerator or while making the bed. Somehow, though, I forget to turn on that music. Other than a rare 10 minutes after my exercise class when some of us boogie to Jerry Lee Lewis, I have neglected my dance intention.

Intention plants seeds, however, and this spring I signed up for a class in English Country Dance. I know – strange. But this is line dance and circle dance from two centuries past and I don’t need a partner.

Thursday, I wandered around an small industrial area to find The Dance Space. I walked into a large group of people doing some fairly intricate steps in a circle. When the music ended the teacher asked my name and invited me into the circle.

Immersion dancing!

By the end of the hour I was laughing at my own awkwardness, apologizing for messing up, and realizing that I had enjoyed every moment. I signed up for a workshop on Saturday and let my husband know that I have a new passion.

(By the end of the Saturday workshop I was exhausted, brain dead, and still determined to make room in my life for this exercise for mind and body.)